Warframe, a free-to-play *launch* title, has taken up probably around 350 hours of my time so far and I'm still playing it nearly every day. I have a respectable library of 21 games for it now, all of which I enjoy.
I had people telling me before the system came out that there was no need to buy it anywhere close to launch. But this always came off as a bit patronising, even tho I know people don't MEAN it that way. Basically, you know what's best for you - if the launch/early titles do nothing for you then of course you shouldn't get one near launch. But just because they don't appeal to you doesn't mean they don't appeal to me.
Oh definitely, I indeed didn't mean it that way
Everything about games that are "worth playing" or "not worth playing" is purely opinions anyway. I don't deter people from buying systems at launch (heck, I bought my Wii U at launch), but I know that for me it's rarely worth it. Apart from the huge hype, which is still part of the "worth" of owning a system, let's face it! The thrill of buying a new system which you've been excited for for a while, opening it up, booting it for the first time at the same time as millions of other people... Getting all excited along with all of them, talking about your experience with other new users, that definitely has some value in itself too.
And nowadays, when the updates come, you still have the excitement of experiencing the improvements to the system. Like with the Wii U, which was super slow at the beginning. When the update making it faster finally came in, I was thrilled! And when they added folders, and the quick menu, that was exciting too.
...I'm making myself want a PS4 so bad right now
I think I may have made myself change my own mind about "buying at launch" haha